NEWS RELEASE
November 30, 1998

AIDS Deaths Down Two Years in a Row

Statewide STD & HIV Conference to be held this week in Grand Rapids

Michigan Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced that AIDS deaths in Michigan continued to decrease in 1997, with 60% fewer deaths than two years ago and fewer deaths than at any time since 1988. This mirrors the two-year decline of 61% in national AIDS deaths. AIDS deaths peaked in 1995, just before powerful new drugs were licensed for fighting this disease. There were 795 Michigan deaths in 1995 compared with 317 for 1997.

"This decrease in AIDS deaths is extremely encouraging news in our fight against AIDS," said Governor John Engler. "In Michigan, we have strived to establish access to care services for all HIV-infected persons so they may reap the benefits of these life-saving medicines."

Michigan AIDS deaths declined 67% among Caucasian men over the two year period and declined 55% among African-American men, Caucasian women, and African-American women.

"This significant decline in the number of AIDS deaths among both the African-American and Caucasian community is excellent news," said Haveman. "Early detection of HIV is vital in order for individuals to choose medical treatments which can extend their life." Free confidential and anonymous testing for HIV is available at all local health departments and a number of additional locations statewide. Persons interested in HIV testing or with questions about HIV/AIDS can call the Michigan HIV/AIDS Hotline toll free at 1-800-872-AIDS.

The adjusted number of new AIDS cases also declined over the same time period, by at least 30%. Almost all of this decrease occurred among men. The number of new AIDS diagnoses among women is now level, but had previously been increasing.

"The same AIDS medicines which reduce deaths have also resulted in a greater total number of persons living with HIV," said Department of Community Health Chief Medical Executive Dr. David Johnson.

"Preventing new infections is the best way to reduce future deaths," said Haveman. "Although we cannot measure how many new infections are prevented, the average lifetime cost of medical care for a person with HIV infection is $154,000 to $190,000. So, preventing just 60 new infections each year will save more than the $9.2 million spent in Michigan each year for HIV prevention activities."

Michigan has been a leader is supporting the use of the new drug therapies (protease inhibitors) by including them in the Medicaid formularies and has developed partnership with foundations and community based organizations to assist in prevention efforts to respond to HIV/AIDS. The department provides antibody testing services and viral load testing and the Michigan AIDS Drug Assistance Program provides eligible clients certain FDA approved drugs that improve the quality and length of life. The department also has a program to promote coordination of state-of-the-art quality of care, therapy and support services for infected women and children.

Michigan's annual STD & HIV Conference, "Making the Connection: Lessons Learned from the Past to Shape the Future" will be held this year in Grand Rapids, December 2 - 4, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The conference is sponsored by the Michigan Departments of Community Health, Corrections, and Education as well as the American Red Cross and the Michigan AIDS Fraud Task Force.

The three-day conference will cover prevention and treatment/care issues for sexually transmitted disease (STD) as well as HIV/AIDS. Workshops will target diverse audience interests and levels of knowledge with a wide variety of topics.

"This conference provides professionals and frontline workers in HIV and STD health education, prevention and care with an excellent opportunity to build their skills and gain up-to-the-minute information in their fields," said Haveman.

Conference highlights include:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Geralyn Lasher
November 30, 1998 (517) 241-2112